Motor Trend — the El Segundo, Calif. based auto-focused magazine — has worked with warranty protection provider Automobile Protection Corp. — also known as EasyCare — for just over two years in the program. Motor Trend-certified vehicles are inspected and warrantied for up to six months and 7,500 miles. In addition, the program offers coverage for mechanical repairs and one-year key replacement and dent repair, among other services.
Ira Gabriel, former Motor Trend publisher and today vice president and executive director of Motor Trend Certified, agreed that more motorists these days are looking to used cars or are planning to keep their cars longer. But he also said that getting involved in certifying used vehicles is a way of extending the Motor Trend brand.
“We felt that when we looked at the brand, we wanted to get involved in the dealership experience,” Gabriel said.
Larry Dorfman, chief executive of Automobile Protection, said Schmitt will be the only Dayton-area dealership to offer the certification. The chain was chosen in part on the basis of exit interviews with Schmitt customers, he said.
“You find they really enjoy the buying experience,” Dorfman said.
Schmitt has six local stores: two Chevrolet dealerships in Miamisburg and Fairborn, as well as Cadillac, Nissan and Mazda stores in Beavercreek and a Mitsubishi dealership in Fairborn.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2390 or tgnau@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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